Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That this bill be now read a third time.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We have had a fascinating debate tonight, as the government have come in here and—speaker after speaker—done nothing but talk about Labor’s broadband proposal. Not one of the senators who spoke had the courage to talk about and advocate their own proposal. That was quite edifying, when you realise that three or four government members, including the minister in charge of this portfolio, were not prepared to advocate their own policy, having been given two or three hours of opportunity to talk about their own proposals.

Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Coonan interjecting—

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am not surprised that this government is embarrassed to talk about its 17th and 18th broadband plans in 11 years. As Senator Boswell identified—and Senator Coonan has put out press releases to this effect—we have already spent over $4 billion. The OPEL deal takes us to $5 billion.

Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That’s not on broadband, you idiot!

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

That is what Senator Boswell said. If he is an idiot, Minister, then it is out of your own mouth. Senator Boswell identified that the government had already spent over $4 billion—the OPEL deal makes it $5 billion—and what have we got?

Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You’re very confused, Steve, very confused.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am not confused; I am only relying on Senator Boswell, who presumably has the notes from your office. Let’s be clear. This is a government so embarrassed because it is delivering a two-tier system: one for the cities and one for regional-rural Australia. I invite the minister, Senator McGauran, Senator Boswell and Senator Barnett, if you are so confident about what you are going to give—

Debate interrupted.